Shrimp and Potatos (Halibut on the Side)

Had to update this post. Ms. Shea shows all the qualities of being a true politician. Blatantly self serving.



http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/06/19/shea-halibut-criticism-619.html

Nan: A Confession

Nan, I really should finally tell you - I absolutely hated that milk pudding you made.

On Wednesday I carried you, your head resting just a foot from my hands. We carried you to lie next to Pop and we sung your favourite hymns. It was a service you would have enjoyed.

It was surreal to walk into your house afterwards and not be greeted by a bear hug. Entering you house was always the same. The kettle was put on to boil before I could even realize you had filled it. Then the food would start to appear and it never seemed to stop. A cup of tea, bread and pickles, date squares, and tea buns, jam and molasses cookies, jam-jams, sweet raisin bread. It was useless to tell you I was not hungry as you fluttered about like a butterfly pulling jars and containers from the cupboards and fridge.

And no lunch was worthy unless something hot was made on the stove. That’s when you would whip up that milk pudding. A little bowl and a steaming hot spoonful of this gelled white mass. It reminded me of Cod liver, I know so many of your daughters and grandchildren lapped that down but I just couldn't take to it. I shoveled it down fast in an effort to pass it through my gums before I could really concentrate on the taste and texture.

Of course you saw the empty bowl and thought: "he's starving" so you would flop an even larger spoonful of this mock cod liver into my bowl. I ate that too, slower.

As I left you would pull a loaf of homemade bread from the freezer and smack the round buns like a baby's bottom. Your hands testing it to make sure it was a good enough loaf for your grandson.

The bread, the squares, homemade pickles and jam it was gold to me. The pudding not so much. I thought I should tell you that. I thought I should also tell you how much I love you, more than you would ever know. Your influence is alive.

The Governor General has a Heart

The Queen's representative in Canada asks for a piece of Seal Heart, she is handed a freshly cut slice and swallows it raw, commenting that is is delicious.

In that gesture she has done what very few Canadian politicians have ever done in the history of Canada. She has shown an appreciation for the regional differences that ideally define this Canada. She has sat in solidarity with the people who have lived off the resources of Canada's North long before "Canada".

When there was brief talk of adding seal fur to Canadian athletes in 2010 Vancouver there was a spark of a true coast to coast Canada, as is the national dream. It was quickly dismissed of course; few could honestly say that being Canadian is trully identiable by all of the people of this federation.

So for this one single powerful act by the governor general I congratulate her. By reaching out to this Northern culture that is so far removed from her own experience, by emercing herself into the virtue of their lives she has shown what Canada trully lacks as a country: An empathy and understanding of all of the cultural identities of this dominion.

If the dream of Canada is to be successful more of our leaders have to reach beyond their comfort level. Reach beyond being a country that is like the awkward cousin of the U.S. and look to our history and culture, the very definition of what this country could be. If only it had the heart.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/gov_gen_arctic

NewfoundlandinCanada is Blog of the Week

Thanks to the NLblogroll for making Newfoundlandincanada the blog of the week. Thanks also for your kind words in describing this humble site. The NLblogroll has been a tremendous site in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador blogs as well as creating a kindship among the bloggers of this little piece of the globe.

Thanks again,
BornNBred

Ed Byrne Rally 1999 and 2009

Gail Shea: Shrimp and Potatoes - PEI Expands Menu

DFO minister Gail Shea gives Labrador's shrimp to PEI:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/04/03/pei-northern-shrimp.html

Diamonds and Perils - 60 years Canadian

From Newfoundland-Labrador.net:

60th Anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada Newfoundland and Labrador signed away our independence on March 31, 1949, so as not to wear the badge of the April Fool. There are many of course who feel that the signing could have been done on any day of the year, the very terms of confederation mark us as fools regardless.

In speaking with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians it is interesting to hear the varied opinion on becoming Canada’s last adopted child. “The best thing we ever did was join Canada” a young professional has said. Another political gentleman says “[he] doesn’t want to get Newfoundland and Labrador out of Canada, [he] wants to get Canada the #$%& out of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Newfoundlandincanada posted a graphic labeled “Almost Canadian” two years ago. Today the phrase seems a little too optimistic. The updated graphic reads “Not Quite Canadian”, the colours of the pink white and green showing through a faded Canadian Maple Leaf. It is easy to lament the loss of a nation, but to embrace a new nation that has never truly embraced us, this is a different quintal of fish.

The royal commission report on Our Place in Canada, from which Newfoundlandincanada draws its name, speaks of Newfoundland and Labrador’s expectation upon joining Canada. It is certain that in that time we had amassed a tremendous debt, largely from our war efforts. It is also a point of history that we were beginning to come into our own. Investment into the Newfoundland and Labrador dominion by Canadian and especially the American war effort was creating a new wealth and employment throughout. It was expected that in joining Canada we could have our debt load reduced, without a burden of excess taxes and a standard of living mirroring that of the Maritime Provinces and in keeping with our sister provinces throughout Canada. Ferry services to be an extension of the highway system whereby taking the ferry across the gulf would be no more expense or burden than if by land. That was the clear intent.

Reflecting back with sixty years of vision it is all questionable. Marine Atlantic has been a great cost to travelers, with delayed shipping of goods and services, tourism greatly restricted because the hassle of these ships makes coming to the island or coastal Labrador just not worth the effort. We have for most of those sixty years the highest taxation, highest debt load and highest unemployment in the nation.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s debt load has meant that it must make decisions based on short term sustainability over long-term growth. The hill of gravel, which snakes across the island that once was a railway, is a testament to this shortsightedness. Our debt was one of the largest factors in our determination as a nation, and the expectation that Canada would untie that albatross was very real in the heads of the 1949 voters. Today though that debt remains. The battle to hold Canada to the commitment of Term 29 was lost. It would have allowed us some relief from that debt - some assemblage of equality with our fellow Canadians. Term 29 grew to become a convoluted system of Robin Hood ethics where all provinces were included in the stew and an allowance made based on an abstract and confusing system that few can understand or qualify. Term 29 became Equalization. Equalization morphed into the Atlantic Accord/Equalization scheme. We continue to this day to negotiate our terms of union with Canada. From our brotherhood and sisterhood in the rest of this dominion they only know that from Term 29 to equalization to the Atlantic Accord, we have been the bastard adopted child of confederation, always going to mother Ottawa with our hand extended.

On this diamond anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador’s place in Canada do we mark the birth of a province? The true vision of Canada from Pacific to Atlantic? Do we instead morn the loss of a nation? A loss of a cultural identity, a vibrant heritage blended into the gray of Canadian culture? Are we a province within a nation/ a nation within a nation/ or a nation without a nation? Time will tell the true story of this Newfoundland and Labrador, the Dorset Eskimo, Maritime Archaic, the Vikings, Beothuck, and Mi'kmaq, the European settlers, Canadians and new Immigrants. They are thrown into the experiment that is Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Sixty years in the house of Canada and still we are not quite Canadian. Will we ever be?

Not Quite Canadian

Newfoundland and Labrador, 60 years in Canada. This year marks the diamond anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. 60 years in and still... not quite Canadian.

Newfoundland Labrador Budget 2009

http://www.budget.gov.nl.ca/budget2009/

For Those Who Go to Sea

A prayer for those who go to sea
God speed your journey and keep your soul
your vessel strong and true we plea
return the lamb into our fold

for those who fish on the banks
may your holds be full, your vessel fast
and with your return we give our thanks
for your safe return to us at last

on the icy flows off The Front
tread safely as you copy the ice for seal
your hull be strong as you leave to hunt
your save return our hearts will heal

For those in punts, in boats and skiffs
a vessel of your father's hand
may it hold true, this is our wish
your heavenly father see you to land

for those who fly to the rigs offshore
keep our prayer within your heart
may your flight be swift and your stay secure
until never again our lives will part

for the souls we've lost to the brine and waves
may his mercy to you give
may the Holy ghost your soul to save
while forever within us you live

bless the soul that goes to sea
your craft be swift your path be true
a souls comfort we ask of thee
a simple prayer his mercy and peace for you

Quebec's Line in the Sand

We used to play this game when I was but a Tom Cod. Pretty simple really, you draw a big circle in the sand, then divide it evenly among each player. The object of the game is to gradually take over the whole world by beating your opponents in successive leg races.

Now some of the Sleevens amongst us would wait until someone was off running and then redraw their territorial line to steal a little piece for themselves; being careful of course to scuff out the original line with your shoe. Lucky that the real world doesn't operate like that isn't it? Otherwise a province like say... Quebec, which has a lot of political clout would be redefining the lines of a lesser power - like say... Labrador. Ya lucky it isn't really like that. I mean there is a set of rules we follow as a civilized "nation" and that is that.

But then I read the Globe and Mail this morning: "Resources Rift Pits Nfld. against Quebec". What's this?! Blah Blah... "The natural-resources fight pits Danny WIlliams's province against Quebec's plans to build the Romaine river hydroelectric project". Whoa - hold on - let's stop right there. Danny Williams's province?! The Globe and Mail refers to Newfoundland and Labrador as Danny Williams's province?! I guess Quebec is not the only Canadian entity that needs to refer to a proper map. Danny Williams's province in fact had a name before Danny Williams was premier and will have the same name long after.

I have to shake my head and shrug - too much to say too little time:

Does it need reminding that Newfoundland and Labrador is proposing to run a line from Labrador to the Island to by-pass the racket we have with Quebec over the Upper Churchill?

Do we need to remind our federal government that Newfoundland and Labrador has been trying for years to foster co-operation between provinces that will allow the Lower Churchill development to proceed?

Do we need to restate the fact that the Privy Council decision of 1927 defines the Labrador border. A judgment made over twenty years before Newfoundland and Labrador entered into confederation. A judgment that Quebec's own analysis has declared to be indisputable. A boundary that is further defined in the constitution upon Newfoundland and Labrador's confederation with Canada?

Do we need to remind the dominion that anytime we have attempted to work a hydro plan for Labrador or reevaluate the existing atrocity of the Upper Churchill contract that the federal government has cowered in the corner saying it does not want to enter into a dispute between provinces?

Now Ottawa is participating in the joint Quebec Ottawa environmental assessment panel that by it's very nature is "giving tacit approval to Quebec's claim."

(pause for a breath)

Harper's eyes are on Ontario and West, with his eyes perpetually averted, what better time for Quebec to redraw that border.

Here's a thought. Given that the very constitution of Canada would have to be rewritten to allow Quebec's ownership of the Romaine watershed headwaters... given that we are rewriting it anyway - let's ripe it in two and start fresh. Let's revisit the Terms of Union.

Better still lets write our Terms of Severance.

Todd Stocks

Send in the Clown

On October 11 2007 newfoundlandincanada made comment of Nova Scotia's Ronald MacDonald making side deals with Canada's Ring Master Steve Harper. Seems some things never change.

Reposted from 09/07

George Orwell and Budget 2009

George Orwell in "Animal Farm" wrote "All Animals are created Equal, but some are more equal than others." The latter part of the phrase of course was added to a constitution wrote with originally good intentions.

It has a whiff of Newfoundland and Labrador's place in Canada doesn't it. Does anyone else smell a pig?

http://www.budget.gc.ca/2009/plan/bpc3f-eng.asp

Harbour Grace for Hockeyville

Vote for Harbour Grace for this year's CBC Hockeyville.

Confessions of a Woodchuck - Remembering "The Mill"

In central Newfoundland the pulp and paper mill is part of the culture. "The Mill" can only mean the pulp and paper mill. A "sample" is a folded rectangle of paper often used to cover a floor when painting or given to a child to scribble on. "The Bark" was the area in Bishop's Falls with the best view of The Falls before the flood. It is as intrinsic to Central as the Fish Plant in Marystown.

Now they will be pulling up their grapnel and drifting into time. It brings to mind a song by "Green Day":

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road, Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go... It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right."

The song is subtitled "Time of Your Life" but more appropriately it's title is "Good Riddance".

A century of bark and wood debris that has paved the floor of the bay in Norris Arm a foot deep with de-oxygenated lifeless sludge. Good Riddance.

The industry has been given the great liberty of exclusive timber rights for the richest forests of the island and Labrador. Good Riddance.

Effluent pipes dumping into the river dyes, bleaches, and chemicals of various questionable origin. The other effluent pipe is hidden below the surface of the river. Good Riddance.

The once pine clad hills of Central Newfoundland are laid bare, from the air you can see a vast expanse of clearcut forest which inadequate silviculture has mostly failed to rebuild. Good Riddance.

Helicopters spray herbicides in areas to defoliate leaf-bearing trees to give an advantage to young evergreen growth. The very ecology of our boreal forest at battle with the mainland pulp and paper industry. Good Riddance.

Poor management and maintenance of infrastructure at the Bishop's Falls mill contributed to the flood of 1983 with the loss of homes and the subsequent loss of a life in the aftermath. Good Riddance.

The Exploits River is one of the premier rivers for the Altantic Salmon in the world. Salmon enhancement projects have always had to work with the facilities of the pulp and paper mill, controlling water levels and maintaining salmon ladders, often taking a back seat to the concerns of ABITIBI. Good Riddance.

Electrical power produced by Bishop's Falls and other hydro damns have provided a good reliable source of cheap/free power to the Pulp and Paper industry for decades. Time to use it for better developments. To ABITIBI: Good Riddance.

My grandfather worked for pennys in that mill. Woods workers slept on lice infested boughes in the freezing cold to build that industry for the next generations. Only since the union has a reasonable life for workers existed. Good Riddance.

The Mill has long given up it's upper echelon to executives from Quebec who have skimmed the cream off the top. Good Riddance.

For a century it has been essential to the very definition of being a Central Newfoundlander. The story of building The Mill is a story of taming a vast rich Central Newfoundland wilderness, of a strong and resilient people. Faced with uncertainty there is a confidence among the communities that the very strength of the land, the rivers, the ponds and forests that have sustained them since before the Beothuck, will continue to sustain. Bravely they defied the final attempts of "The Company" to suck the last bit of blood from them. Their strength remains.

My Grandfather, my uncles, my father made a good life off The Mill. It was likely if things remained the same I too would have made my living there. So I am apologetic to them in being critical of our bread and butter for so many years. It is with this same perspective though that I say to the greedy CEOs that have sucked the life from us and the land for so long: Good Riddance, you came here with nothing, you can leave with the same.

GG Calls a TIME OUT

Prorogue: The prefix Pro means "in favour of" and the root word "Rogue" means a thief or crook.

So the Governor General is "in favour of thieves and crooks" Am I interpreting that correctly?! Sounds about right.

The Claim Game: Russia, Canada, US, Norway and Denmark seek Santa's Oil

Yesterday's Globe and Mail (I get it free and wouldn't pay a red copper otherwise) has a supplement in the Report on Business about Northern Countries staking their claims for the treasure of the Arctic. Interesting.

Of course Canada has always made claim to the North Pole, happily assuming the rest of the world was on board with their maps. Only in recent years has our government decided they might send some survey crews up there to at least make a presence.

So who owns The North Pole? Santa of course being the international man of mystery that he is refuses to claim citizenship to any country, so no help there. Russia has ice breakers that could put our Coast Guard breakers in their hold. They have nuclear subs sniffing around up there dropping Soviet flags all over the seabed. They have long made a reasonable claim to The Pole. Our own DFO survey ships are a little underwhelming compared to Russian effort. Canada's survey ships in the arctic would be like sending me to Manhatten island with a Pink White and Green and claiming it for old Newfoundland and Labrador.

It was this little clip from "Canada's National Newspaper" though that really caught my attention. It says "Russia has claimed much of the Arctic because it claims an underwater ridge links Siberia to the seabed that runs underneath the North Pole". So Russia is making claims in the UN to the arctic based on underwater land masses, a "continental shelf" if you will. In other words Russia is claiming "custodial management" to their "continental shelf". I can't help but think I've heard that before?

If I can offer a suggestion to our ships up there surveying the Arctic and drawing our maps: Perhaps when you are drawing your lines along our coast don't be afraid to let the pen stray to encompass the "Nose" and "Tail". As long as we are staking our territory to the UN, lets not forget where Newfoundland and Labrador trully extends.

Greg Byrne of NL Outside the Box and active member of NLFirst has proposed that we include the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks on our own maps as a show of custodial management. Recent discussions with him came to mind when I read the Globe articles. I tend to agree that we should be making the claim to the continential shelf. As a start.

Parking Meters in Hospitals?!

The thought of visiting a loved one dying in the hospital and being greeted by a parking ticket on your way home is something that no one in Newfoundland and Labrador should face. But is happens, repeatedly ever single day. This is a St. John's issue that largely affects all other communities because for the serious stuff we all end up in the Health Sciences.

St. John's Councilor Debbie Hanlon is finally calling attention to this. Please sign the petition.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-hospital-parking-meters-the-stjohns-facilities.html

We Could Have a Bed of Goose Down but We Sent the Egg to Ottawa

Should we have a cabinet representative from Newfoundland or Labrador? Too many people are saying we've made our bed, now we must lie in it. But I didn't make the bed, if I did it would be a lot more comfortable.

I e-mailed Mayor Doc O'Keefe with support for his campaign to e-mail the PM and insist on having a representative in cabinet for Newfoundland and Labrador:

Good Afternoon Mayor O'Keefe,

I'd like to add my voice of support for your campaign to have a Newfoundlander or Labradorian represent NL in the federal cabinet. With only 7 of 309 federal seats the odds are great that we will occasionally not vote in a member of the governing party. That should not negate us have adequate representation. Newfoundland and Labradorians think it is acceptable to have representation from elsewhere are colonialist in their view. We should be greatly offended with having a federally appointed person to represent us. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should remember the days of governors - we should never return to anything resembling that quasi-nationhood.

The distinction needs to be made between the government of Canada and the governing Conservatives. We did not ask for no representation in Ottawa with the last election, we voted for no Conservative representation. We would hope that our place in Canada is independent of who governs the country. Perhaps it points to some of the faults in our political system with a first past the post elections and ineffective senate.